Fite ( Andy )

Andy Fite is a jazz guitarist, singer, and songwriter living in Stockholm, Sweden since 1994. Before that he lived in New York City for ten years.

Arriving in New York in the mid-1980s, Andy began an intensive study of improvisation with pianist Connie Crothers, and very soon the insights he gained there led to a great breakthrough and an original style. Soon he was playing regularly with a number of close friends of the late pianist Lennie Tristano, a big hero and great source of inspiration in Andy’s music.

In 1987, Andy was invited to join the new co-operative record company New Artists Records (www.newartistsrecords.com), and there he made six CDs as leader or co-leader between 1988 and 1997. His playmates on these discs include Liz Gorrill, Red Mitchell, Bob Casanova, Carol Liebowitz and Roger Mancuso.

He also works as a teacher, working with guitarists and singers as well as anyone else who wants to develop their capacity to express themselves more deeply, and especially spontaneously. He works in his own private studio and at Kulturama in Stockholm, and has guest-lectured at the Royal Academy of Music, Uppsala University, Birka Folkhögskola and Bollnäs Folkhögskola in Sweden, the Sibelius Academy and Oulu University in Finland, and elsewhere. He is also a performer in children’s television in Sweden.

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“This is a beautiful example of the difference between influence and imitation: Bird never did this thing that he inspired Harry to do. Harry got a feeling from Bird and it took him to something completely original. It’s also the kind of line of influence that particularly moves and delight me: a singer, inspired by a saxophone player, comes up with a new conception with shattering implications for singers and instrumentalists alike.” — Andy Fite, Village Life 1992 Continue reading →

It is possible for music to be both beautiful and challenging as evidenced on THE WAY I AM by the vocalizing of Satin, who performs in a series of duets with pianist Crothers or guitarist Fite. The beauty comes from the delightful voice of Satin, who sings eight standards that are dripping with love. She conveys warmth and passion through her singing… (Satin) skirts through these love songs displaying all the romance and eloquence the tunes hold. The challenge comes from the instrumental side of the equation. Crothers… excels with probing solos… Her dense patterns underlining Satin’s voice and her own explorations add considerable substance to the duets. Fite… contributes a challenging ring to his… duets with Satin. His playing adds lyricism to the songs… Love is in the air with Satin at the mike…. The three form two delightful teams. – Frank Rubolino, Cadence February 2000. Continue reading →

“He is a true ‘Jazz Singer,’ meaning someone who uses their voice as an instrument instead of merely interpreting lyrics… A flair for dramatic scale-climbing improvisations, and a silken singing voice that can tell a story. Bob Casanova is a talent.”- Jerome Wilson, Cadence Magazine Continue reading →

“…thethree have created a weave of rich textures and colors…long strings of piano notes like pearls of water, intertwined with the lush sound of the tenor and the constant thread of the guitar winding in and out of the texture, sometimes steely and strong, othertimes vibrant and soft…” – Rigmor Alfredsson Newman, Nordstjernan, New York Continue reading →

…an impressive series of duets that deal in complex harmonies, intricate interplay, and consummate musicianship. But it’s not just empty technique. Their improvisations are laced with humor and warmth.” – R. Lannappolo, Option Continue reading →

I’m not sure what most senior citizens would make of Carol Liebowitz’s renditions of the music of their lives. Liebowitz, with musical partner Andy Fite on guitar, takes this clutch of standards and twists and winds them into new shapes. What distinguishes her approach is her reverence for the words of the songs and high handedness with everything else. From the first chorus she bends the lyrics through her sweeping, melismatic improvisations. The impression is that Liebowitz is improvising the lyrics. This gives the poetry an urgent edge. I found myself hearing the lyrics afresh.“Love Me or Leave Me” is emotionally wrenching in a way I’ve never heard it. —David Dupont, Cadence Continue reading →

Andy Fite is a jazz guitarist, singer, and songwriter living in Stockholm, Sweden since 1994. Before that he lived in New York City for ten years. Already in his hometown of Pittsburgh Andy had the good luck to perform with most of the top local musicians, as well as with such illustrious visitors as Kenny Clarke, Billy Eckstine, Attila Zoller, Bucky Pizzarelli and Tal Farlow. Not to mention the Inkspots, the Four Aces, the Lettermen and Pia Zadora. Arriving in New York in the mid-1980s, Andy began an intensive study of improvisation with pianist Connie Crothers, and very soon the insights he gained there led to a great breakthrough and an original style. Soon he was playing regularly with a number of close friends of the late pianist Lennie Tristano, a big hero and great source of inspiration in Andy’s music. Continue reading →

Fite is positively ebullient…has a distinctive sound…Mitchell is a delight…Mark this tribute to the joys of spontaneous creation down as one of the most accurately titled recordings ever. Recommended. – David Dupont, Cadence Continue reading →

The songs on this album are not tunes which you are likely to start singing in the shower. More likely you will be stuck contemplating what it is about these songs that is so engaging. The elements presented could easily be a standard jazz recording session, but as soon as the first notes well-up you are immediately informed that you are in for a wild ride. The strumming and linear stylings of guitarist Andy Fite combined with the driving rhythm provided by bassist Calvin Hill and drummer-extraordinaire Roger Mancuso provide the perfect background for Tabnik’s lightening-fast improvisations. Tabnik reaches into this foundation to pull interesting and tasty pieces out which he uses to shape and create his solos out of. This is especially apparent in the two takes of Tabnik’s tune “Timescapes” (cuts 6 and 7). Listen for the interplay between Fite and Tabnik as they wind through the changes. Richard Tabnik is someone that you should definately check out. This is an artist who is not afraid to be himself. — Review (c)1996 Jason DuMarsContinue reading →